Academic activities have been suspended at Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu University, formerly Benue State University, following the commencement of an indefinite strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The decision was reached at a congress meeting held on June 1, 2026, where the union resolved to embark on a total and comprehensive industrial action after prolonged engagement with the university administration, governing council, and Benue State Government proved fruitless.

In a statement signed by the chairman, Dr Ali Sule Ako, and secretary, Prof Daniel Chile, the union outlined several unresolved issues driving the action, including non payment of pensions and gratuities, irregular pension remittances, absence of an effective health insurance scheme, and unpaid promotion arrears.

The union also raised concerns over outstanding 25 percent and 35 percent wage award arrears, incomplete implementation of the Consequential Adjustment to Academic Salaries agreement, unresolved taxation matters, and the rejection of the Senate nominated Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic.

“This decision was reached after years of sustained engagement with the University Administration, the Governing Council, and the Benue State Government on critical welfare and governance issues affecting staff and the University.

“Unfortunately, these efforts have failed to produce meaningful and lasting solutions,” the statement read.

Highlighting the condition of retired staff, the union stated that many had remained unpaid for years, with some dying without receiving their entitlements. It described the situation as unacceptable and unfair.

On pension concerns, the union noted, “The contributory pension scheme introduced in 2020 has been plagued by irregular remittances, particularly regarding employer contributions. The failure of Government to consistently provide counterpart funding has created uncertainty and concern among staff, with no satisfactory resolution in sight.”

The statement further disclosed that academic staff promoted since 2018 had largely not received the financial benefits attached to their advancement, despite repeated engagements.

The union criticised what it described as isolated payments made by the university management, insisting that such steps lacked a negotiated framework and failed to address underlying issues.

“Consequently, ASUU BSU has commenced an indefinite, total and comprehensive strike action, which shall remain in force until substantial progress is made and binding agreements are reached on the issues in dispute.”

ASUU also referenced interventions by its National Executive Council, which reviewed the grievances and initiated fact finding efforts, but noted that authorities did not formalise agreements through a Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Action.